DERA GHAZI KHAN: Four people, including two children, lost their lives due to hill torrents which affected Wadoor, Sanghar and Mithawan areas, where the sudden surge of water proved deadly.

At Machhi village, 21-year-old Fazal, the son of Allah Wasaya, was swept away by the powerful Wadoor hill torrent. Rescue 1122 conducted an intense search operation and recovered his body.

A similarly tragic event was reported at Shahwali village, where 17-year-old Muhammad Ehsan bravely attempted to rescue a child caught in the Wadoor torrent’s floodwaters. Ehsan himself drowned in the water.

At Littra, Taunsa Sharif, eight-year-old Shah Zain, the son of Shoaib, met a similar fate in the Mithawan hill torrent.

Mazhar Munir (12), the son of Muneer Ahmed, drowned while swimming in the rainwater-filled bed of the Sanghar hill torrent. Locals later recovered his body. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the heavy rain spell that began on June 30, 2024, and remained active until Sept 3 resulted in widespread devastation across Punjab. A total of 119 deaths, 310 injuries, and the destruction of 289 houses were reported, along with the loss of 109 cattle.

In Dera Ghazi Khan specifically, the district experienced 17 deaths, 28 injuries and the destruction of 153 houses, while 36 cattle were lost during the heavy rains and floods in hill torrents.

According to the latest reports, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan are currently flowing within normal range.

However, authorities remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation due to the potential for rapid changes in flow levels.

Although all torrents currently show no alarming flow levels, the irrigation department advises continued vigilance. Monitoring efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of the residents, as the potential for rapid changes in water levels remains a concern.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2024